Saudi Spree Continues As Al-Hilal Sign Ruben Neves From Wolves In Record-Breaking Transfer

Ruben Neves became the latest star player to sign for a team in Saudi Arabia when he left Wolverhampton Wanderers for Al-Hilal on Friday.

The 26-year-old's move to Al-Hilal comes after champions Al-Ittihad signed French duo N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema earlier this month.

Those deals came months after Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr.

Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al Nassr are all owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United.

Neves is unlikely to be the last big-name to leave Europe for the Saudi Pro League this summer.

The likes of Bernardo Silva, Neymar, Sergio Busquets, Wilfried Zaha, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly are all said to be on the wanted list.

Neves is currently the most expensive import to the Saudi Pro League in terms of his transfer fee, although Benzema and Ronaldo both have significantly higher salaries. 

The Portugal midfielder is also the most expensive player ever sold by Wolves.

Ruben Neves has left Wolves to sign for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia

IMAGO/Focus Images/Russell Hart

A Wolves statement on Friday confirmed: "After six seasons at Molineux, Ruben Neves’ time with Wolves has come to an end, as he joins Saudi Pro League's Al-Hilal on a permanent deal for a club record transfer fee."

Diogo Jota had previously held the record following his £41 million transfer to Liverpool in 2020.

According to BBC Sport, Wolves will receive £47m for the sale of Neves.

Neves joined Wolves from Porto in 2017 and led the team to EFL Championship glory in his first season in England.

He has since made 177 Premier League appearances, scoring 21 goals and assisting nine.